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Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:03 pm
by rotceh_dnih
Ok might sound dumb as my first question here but would it not work ?, i have a 50L Keg with a 2200w element sitting on top is a 2" tee going to a 1.2m liebig acting as a simple pot still.
I'm waiting for my column to arrive to build a CCVM but till that gets here i was thinking i could just flip my PC upside down so the output is pointing to the sky, maybe swap out my water intake/outputs and reflux for 30-45m then go back to normal and collect?

I know im not going to get a neutral doing it that way but surly it'll bump the ABV up somewhat yea ? ,Just thought id post and ask before i go and blow my self up doing something stupid :roll: might be over looking some safety issues but in my mind it all sounds solid.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Re: Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:20 pm
by Shaun
I would have thought you need some type of packing, but i am still new at this.

Re: Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:36 pm
by db1979
Hi mate, how about putting up a post in the welcome centre and tell us a bit more about your experience, equipment and what you're hoping to achieve?

Sounds like what you're suggesting will be completely pointless. If I understand what you're talking about correctly, you're planning on refluxing through your liebig by having it point vertically, then turning off your still and putting the liebig in a different orientation so that it points downwards and you're able to collect product. If this is what you are thinking, then no. Refluxing aims to load the column up with progressively higher and higher percentage alcohol throughout the height of the column. When you start collecting, the alcohol at the top comes off. If some refluxing is still occurring (not enough to knock down all vapour, but enough to maintain the percentage alcohol) then the column continues to be loaded and product is taken off. The amount of reflux to product taken off is referred to as the reflux ratio. You would have none of this occurring as you would lose it all in changing the configuration of your still. And don't even think about doing it while the still is running.

If I've misunderstood you, please provide more info.

Re: Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:58 pm
by rotceh_dnih
Thanks mate, You nailed it 100% that was indeed my thought process. i'll head over and post in the welcome section now but to sum it up im green AF with only 5-6 pot still runs before this and im only a week off getting my column finished "1.5m 2" ccvm " just got impatient i guess but im glad i got that brain fart out of the way :p

Re: Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:33 pm
by db1979
You gotta start somewhere mate.

Post up some photos of your still in your intro post :handgestures-thumbupleft: we love photos :D

Re: Upside down PC acting as RC - Poormans Reflux

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 7:03 pm
by bluc
I have heard a liebig makes a real shitty rc..